Review: Colbie Caillat in Livermore

When a performer quotes John Mayer from the stage, with the same reverence usually reserved for reciting Shakespeare or Dylan, we’re probably not talking about my generation.

We’re probably talking about a much younger artist, one set on courting fans half Mayer’s age. That doesn’t mean older listeners – say those over 30 – can’t enjoy the performer. It just means that they’re not likely the target audience.

Colbie Caillat – who turned 26 in May – is one of the best in the business at striking a deep bond with young fans. In particular, the pop singer connects with young females, those still living under their parents’ roofs. The reason is simple: She talks their talk and, despite her fairly recent rise to fame, still remembers how to walk their walk.

And it sure worked during her show on Thursday night at Wente Vineyards, which drew a much younger crowd than what’s normally seen at the upscale Livermore venue. The older patrons seemed happy enough with the 100-minute concert, but they sure weren’t singing along with same type of absolute gusto exhibited by the teen girls.

Their performance was so captivating at times – eyes riveted to the stage, hands clutched to their chests and lips mouthing each line like it was written specifically for them – that it stole the spotlight from the actual star of the show.

Opening her set with the platinum-certified single “Realize,” the charismatic singer-songwriter – who, amazingly, was rejected twice during auditions for “American Idol” – went on to charm her army with tales of self affirmation, complicated relationships and days well spent. She sang of gooey love letters, about whether breaking up with a boyfriend was the right thing to do, and how doing what you love is the ultimate goal.

It was a little like flipping through the pages of someone’s diary – in that the lines were both uncomfortably personal and not all that well written. Yet, songs such as “The Little Things,” “I Never Told You” and “Fallin’ for You” never failed to lace her core fans right into her shoes, thanks, in large part, to a strong voice that always comes across as believable.

Of course, it probably doesn’t hurt that Caillat and her six-piece band favor musical arrangements that are as middle-of-the-road as a center divider. Even after seeing her in concert, it’s hard to say exactly where she belongs in the musical spectrum. It would probably be somewhere near the intersection of polished pop, contemporary country, big-ballad rock, watered-down island grooves and toothless folk. In other words, I guess, you’d put her right next to Jack Johnson.

That’s true as well in terms of commercial results. Caillat’s two studio albums – 2007’s “Coco” and 2009’s “Breakthrough” – have sold millions. And look for the trend to continue with Colbie’s third effort, “All of You,” which will be released on Tuesday. She showcased a number of tracks from the forthcoming album – including “I Do,” already a Top 40 hit – and the result was, well, more of the same.

And that’s OK. Actually, that’s better than OK for her young fans, who aren’t looking for Caillat to grow up just yet. Down the road, she’ll face the same hurdles as her contemporaries – Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus – which means trying to mature as an artist without losing the original fan base. But, for now, she’s doing just fine.

If you – or your teen daughter – missed Caillat at Wente, she’ll return to the area to perform Friday (July 15) at Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco. She’ll also appear on “The Today Show” on Tuesday and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on Thursday.

Her dad, Ken Callait co-produced 2 of the biggest albums of the 1970s, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours (one of the 10 biggest selling recordings of alltime) and it’s predecessor “Fleetwood Mac”, which introduced the Big Mac lineup -notably Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham- to the band and to pop audiences of the day -and the way the music busisness and radio has evolved- to several generations of music fans.

This isn’t top say Colby isn’t talented. It’s to say that it’s a family affair. No matter what her press kit/bio/official history says- it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a father who co-produced a Diamond-selling (10x platinum) album. Phone calls were undoubtedly made, emails sent etc.

A singer songwriter of simiilar/same talent but without the bigtime inside connection would likely have a snowball’s chance in hell at a successful pop career.

No big surprise that her bland (tho ‘sunny’) limited vocal style/chops wasn’t enough to get her on American Idol- where karaoke skills-and sometimes a sense for drama- are important.

Colby is very lucky to have had superb coaching in performing and ‘writing’ to her strengths -and be marketed to a core demographic- somethig artists. Very few young singers get that.

The huge Disney music marketing machine can pick a good looking, good singing kid and market her (or him) via the Disney tv, movie and music channels – which are a world unto themselves. Occasionally a kid with a looks, a lot of drive and some very lucky breaks can bust through like Taylor Swift..

And then there’s Colby, with her well connected dad. Lucky her. Very lucky her.

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